The island of Eigg is the second largest of the Small Isles group (Rum, Muck, Eigg and Canna) and the most populous. The island belonged to the MacDonalds of Eigg before they sold it in 1829. A series of absentee landlords followed who did nothing for the stability of the population. The community founded the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust in 1991 and their offer to buy the island was accepted in 1997, putting the island in the ownership of the local community.

Up until the mid-19th century thatched cottages were very common on Eigg. A wooden frame would rest on the house walls and a layer of thatch would be placed on the frame. The thatch would often be secured by old fishing net weighted down by stones, as can just be seen in this photograph.

M.E.M. Donaldson was born in 1876 and came to the Highlands around 1908. She travelled extensively around the North and West Highlands, writing and taking photographs. One of her favourite locations was the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and it was there she settled, at Sanna, in 1927.

Between 1912 and 1949 Miss Donaldson produced many books on the social history and customs of the North and West Highlands. 'Wanderings in the Western Highlands and Islands' and 'Further Wanderings - Mainly in Argyll' are two of her best known works and both are illustrated with her own photographs. She died in a nursing home in Edinburgh in 1958, and was buried in Oban.

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Thatched cottage, Eigg

INVERNESS: Small Isles

20c

Highland Photographic Archive (IMAG)

M E M Donaldson Collection

The island of Eigg is the second largest of the Small Isles group (Rum, Muck, Eigg and Canna) and the most populous. The island belonged to the MacDonalds of Eigg before they sold it in 1829. A series of absentee landlords followed who did nothing for the stability of the population. The community founded the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust in 1991 and their offer to buy the island was accepted in 1997, putting the island in the ownership of the local community.<br />
<br />
Up until the mid-19th century thatched cottages were very common on Eigg. A wooden frame would rest on the house walls and a layer of thatch would be placed on the frame. The thatch would often be secured by old fishing net weighted down by stones, as can just be seen in this photograph.<br />
<br />
M.E.M. Donaldson was born in 1876 and came to the Highlands around 1908. She travelled extensively around the North and West Highlands, writing and taking photographs. One of her favourite locations was the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and it was there she settled, at Sanna, in 1927.<br />
<br />
Between 1912 and 1949 Miss Donaldson produced many books on the social history and customs of the North and West Highlands. 'Wanderings in the Western Highlands and Islands' and 'Further Wanderings - Mainly in Argyll' are two of her best known works and both are illustrated with her own photographs. She died in a nursing home in Edinburgh in 1958, and was buried in Oban. <br />
<br />
<br />
This image can be purchased.<br />
For further information about purchasing and prices please email the<br />
<a href="mailto: photographic.archive@highlifehighland.com">Highland Photographic Archive</a> quoting the External ID.